Injector for implanting an intraocular lens

ABSTRACT

An injector system for implanting an intraocular lens into an eye includes an injector body having a front end and a rear end; a cannula arranged at the front end, which provides a transport channel for a lens to be implanted, wherein a lens can be fed into the transport channel; a magazine with a receptacle area for a lens which is securable in the receptacle area with a retainer, wherein the magazine is arranged so that a lens can be fed into the transport channel; a folding body insertable into the magazine and into the inlet opening, for pushing the lens into the transport channel so that the lens is at least partially foldable around the folding body; and a slider arranged in the injector body, and which can be pushed into the transport channel via the front end so that the lens can be ejected from the transport channel.

CROSS-REFERENCED TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/118,257, filed Jan. 28, 2014, which is a 371National Stage of International Application No. PCT/DE2012/000501 filedon May 15, 2012, which claims the benefit of the May 18, 2011 prioritydate of German application DE 10 2011 101 940.9, the contents of whichare herein incorporated by reference.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an injector system for implanting anintraocular lens into an eye, and to a magazine for the injector system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Intraocular lenses are lens implants or artificial lenses to replace thenatural lenses of a human eye. They are in particular used to replacethe lenses of an eye affected by cloudiness (cataract) of the lens. Bysurgery, the affected lenses are removed and the intraocular lenses areinserted. Insertion into the eye is accomplished by means of a so-calledinjector, for example. It is important in this context that the surgicalincision through which an intraocular lens is implanted is as small aspossible (e.g. about 3 mm). This provides for the fastest possiblehealing process without complication and possibly also avoids the needfor suture.

To be able to implant intraocular lenses which generally have a diameterof about 5 to 6 mm, the lenses must be foldable so as to fit through thesmall incision of about 3 mm. An injector for folding and inserting afolded lens into a human eye is described in International patentapplication WO 00/45746 A1, for example. The content of this patentapplication is fully incorporated into the present patent application byreference.

An injector is described therein for implanting and inserting atemporarily folded intraocular lens, which injector can be used toinsert the folded lens into the capsula of the lens of the eye throughan incision of the required size of about 3 mm in the eye.

The injector comprises a body having a thicker insertion and holdingpart and a thinner injection tube on an injection side and a continuousaxial opening as a transport channel. In addition, the injectorcomprises a slider arranged so as to be displaceable axially in thetransport channel. Furthermore, the injector comprises a radialinsertion opening in the insertion and holding part transverselyrelative to the axis of the transport channel, as an insertion channelfor the lens. The insertion opening communicates with the continuoustransport opening. In the insertion opening, the non-folded lens restsflat on a support surface for being transported and is retained by aretaining rib extending longitudinally and centrally to the lens. Theretaining rib is a plate-shaped, radially extending folding rib whichcan be pressed radially into the transport channel, through theinsertion opening, whereby the lens is completely inserted into thetransport channel folded around the retaining rib.

The injector described therein ensures safe implantation of anintraocular lens into a human and/or animal eye. The loading of theinjector or the insertion of the intraocular lens into the injector canonly be done just before surgery, by the operating ophthalmologist or asupportive surgical nurse.

However, in order to be able to accurately insert the intraocular lensinto the eye, it is necessary for the lens to be positioned asaccurately as possible on the support surface so that the lens isprecisely insertable into the transport channel by means of the foldingrib.

If the lens is not loaded sufficiently precisely, this may result in anundesired rotation of the lens when the lens is folded and inserted intothe transport channel by means of the folding rib. Under certaincircumstances, the lens may even be clamped between the folding rib andthe transport channel so as to become unusable.

Therefore, the loading done by the ophthalmologist or surgical nursepresents a potential risk. Moreover, the lens previously stored in apackage under sterile conditions may be contaminated when being removedfrom the package and placed in the injector.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Against this background described above, an object of the presentinvention is to provide an injector for intraocular lenses that at leastmitigates or even completely eliminates the drawbacks mentioned above.

It should be possible to ensure a reproducible inserting and folding ofthe lens in the transport channel and a reproducible inserting andunfolding of the lens in the eye, in particular even when the lens hasbeen loaded in non-optimal manner.

These objects are already achieved by the injector system according tothe independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are set forth in thedependent claims.

Generally, the invention proposes to improve the injector described inthe prior art in a manner so that the securing of the intraocular lensin the injector on the one hand and the folding and inserting of theintraocular lens into the injector on the other hand is not effected bythe same component.

In detail, the present invention provides an injector or injector systemfor inserting or implanting a lens into an eye, comprising the followingcomponents:

-   -   an injector body having a front end and a rear end;    -   a cannula arranged at the front end of the injector body, which        provides a transport channel for a lens to be implanted, wherein        a lens can be fed into the transport channel via a preferably        lateral inlet opening;    -   a magazine having a receptacle area for at least one lens which        can be secured in the receptacle area by means of a retainer,        wherein the magazine is arranged in a manner so that a lens can        be fed into the transport channel via the preferably lateral        inlet opening;    -   a folding body which is insertable into the magazine and into        the inlet opening, for pushing the lens into the transport        channel in such a way that the lens is at least partially        foldable around the folding body; and    -   a slider which is slideably arranged in the injector body,        preferably axially, and which can be pushed into the transport        channel via the front end of the injector body in such a way        that the lens can be ejected from the transport channel.

The cannula is a tube or comprises a tube, which is at least partiallyintroduced into an eye and through which the lens is inserted into theeye. For this purpose, the lens is transferred from its initial positionin the magazine into the cannula or into the transport channel of thecannula and hence to the transport position. From the transport positionthe lens is pushed, by means of the slider, from the transport channelthrough the outlet opening into the eye. The slider for ejecting thelens out of the injector may also be referred to as a lens slider. Thetransport channel therefore describes at least that portion of theinjector through which the lens is moved by the slider. The cannula maybe directly or indirectly connected to the injector body. The inletopening or insertion opening is preferably arranged at a lateral side ofthe transport channel, for example at the top or bottom of the transportchannel.

The lens is transferred from the magazine into the transport channel bymeans of the folding body, in particular by pushing or pressing. Thefolding body is a device for folding the lens and/or for pushing thelens into the transport channel. Preferably, the folding body is afolding plate which may also be referred to as a folding blade. Thefolding plate or folding body is a plate or a body configured and/orengaging the lens in a manner so that the lens is folded around thefolding plate or folding body when engaged by the folding plate orfolding body. The folding plate or folding body is also referred to as afolding rib, in particular if arranged on a flap. The folding body orfolding plate or folding rib can be pressed into the transport channel,preferably radially.

The folding body or folding plate may be provided as a separatecomponent, or may be combined with the injector system, preferably withthe cannula. In one embodiment, the folding body or folding plate isarranged at a lower side of a flap which is preferably pivotallyattached to the cannula, so that in a hinged-down condition of the flap,a lens is disposed in the transport channel and is folded around thefolding body or folding plate, at least partially. In this embodiment,the flap is also referred to as a folding flap briefly, since it carriesthe folding plate or folding body.

In one embodiment, at least two retaining ledges for a lens are arrangedat the folding body or folding plate and/or in the upper region of thetransport channel, which retaining ledges define an engagement surfaceat least for a portion of an edge of the lens or of a periphery of thelens when a lens is pushed into the transport channel.

Generally, an intraocular lens has two haptics. In order to assist in areliable and safe insertion of the lens into the eye, the haptics shouldnot protrude from the lens. Rather, the haptics should be in a definedposition. In one embodiment of the invention, the haptics should fitclosely to the lens. For example, they may be curled up in the lens.Depending on the orientation of the lens in the injector, one hapticwill be in the front region of the injector (leading haptic), and onehaptic will be in the rear region thereof (trailing haptic), forexample.

In one embodiment of the invention, the folding body has a receptaclearea for a haptic, preferably a trailing haptic, of the lens, into whichthe preferably trailing haptic of the lens can be introduced.Particularly, the receptacle area for the preferably trailing haptic ofthe lens is provided by a recess at one end of the folding body,preferably the rear end.

For transferring the trailing haptic into the receptacle area, oneembodiment of the injector system comprises a haptic slider. In a firststep, the trailing haptic of the lens may be inserted into thereceptacle area in the folding body by means of the haptic slider. In asecond step the lens is then ejected from the injector by the slider forthe lens. When being ejected the folded lens is curled, for example,thereby also curling the trailing haptic, at least partially. Thetrailing haptic will then be inside the curled lens, at least partially.

However, it is also possible for the haptic slider to be coupled orcouplable to the slider for the lens, so that the trailing haptic of thelens may be pushed into the receptacle area of the folding body by meansof the haptic slider by moving the slider for the lens. In this manner,by a preferably single actuation of the slider, the trailing haptic maybe placed or curled in defined manner and the lens may be ejected fromthe injector.

In a variation of the invention, the haptic slider comprises at leastone bending arm at which the slider is engaged or abuts when ejectingthe lens, so that the at least one bending arm is biased against aninner surface of the injector body and the haptic slider is displaceableby and together with the slider towards the front end of the injector.Preferably, the haptic slider has two bending arms. A bending arm is forexample an arm which is substantially deflectable resiliently.

In particular, the at least one bending arm has at least one projectionthrough which the bending arm is pressed (or biased) against the innersurface of the injector body. When pushing the lens slider and thus alsothe haptic slider towards the front end of the injector, after a certaindisplacement distance the at least one bending arm engages into arecess, preferably a hole, in the inner surface of the injector body.Thereby the haptic slider is decoupled from of the slider for the lens.

In a further embodiment, the haptic slider has a claw for the trailinghaptic of the lens at its front end.

In order to achieve a defined position of the leading haptic withrespect to the lens, the injector in particular characterized in thatthe folding body has a stop for a leading haptic of the lens so thatwhen pushing out the lens by means of the slider the leading hapticcomes to rest on the lens by means of the stop. It is also possible forthe leading haptic to be curled up in the lens when ejecting the lens,or to just come to rest on the outer surface of the lens. Specifically,the stop for the leading haptic of the lens is provided as a preferablyflexible projection on a lower end of the folding body.

In one embodiment, the folding body is comprised of two parts. A base isprovided, in which a folding member is inserted, which in particularincludes a receptacle area for a haptic. The retaining ledges areprovided by the base. The folding member is moveably disposed in thebase. This may for example be achieved by the fact that the upper sideof the folding member does not abut against the base in the interior ofthe base. An intermediate space is provided. In addition, a flexible orelastic body may be introduced in the intermediate space, for example afoam material.

The retainer is a device for securing the lens or locking the lens in aposition in the magazine or in the receptacle area of the magazine, theinitial position. The retainer may be provided as a separate componentor may be coupled with the injector, preferably with the magazine. Inone variation of the invention, the retainer is configured as a flapwhich is pivotally mounted to the magazine, wherein in a closed positionof the flap a lens is secured. In the case where the retainer isembodied as a flap, the retainer is also referred to as a retaining flapbelow.

In one embodiment, the retainer has a retaining device and/or ananti-rotation protection for a lens to be stored in the receptacle area,at the side associated with (or directed toward) the lens.

The retaining device is a safety device for securing or locking the lensin the magazine or receptacle area of the magazine, especially toprevent the lens from slipping out of position in the magazine and toprevent the lens from falling out of the magazine. The anti-rotationprotection mentioned is intended to prevent the lens from twisting inthe magazine or in the receptacle area of the magazine.

In one embodiment, the retaining device is configured as a preferablyplate-shaped projection that extends over the periphery of a lens to besecured in the receptacle area, at least along sections thereof, andwhich has a curvature substantially corresponding to that of the lens.Preferably, the retaining device does not engage on the opticallyrelevant portion of the lens. The retaining device engages in an areawhere the haptic is joint to the lens or merges into the lens, at leastin sections thereof.

In further embodiment, the anti-rotation protection is configured as atleast one pin which engages between a lens and a haptic of the lens andis preferably arranged at the retaining device.

In one embodiment of the invention, the retainer has an opening. Thefolding plate may be inserted into the magazine and into the inletopening of the transport channel through the opening of the retainer.

The injector body is preferably a type of housing for the injectorsystem. The injector system may be configured in one piece or in severalparts. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the injector body,the cannula and/or the magazine are provided by separate modules whichin an assembled condition form a functional unit, the injector. Themagazine and the cannula may also be provided as a single component,which is referred to as a cartridge.

The magazine provides a receptacle or a lens chamber for keeping orstoring the lens, and optionally for loading the injector. In apreferred embodiment of the invention, the magazine is provided as aseparate module. A lens is received in the magazine. Preferably, themagazine may be placed on the cannula or push-fit to the cannula in amanner so that at least portions of the cannula are positioned orsecured to the magazine or inside the magazine. The receptacle area forthe lens in the magazine is characterized by the fact that the lens isarranged or disposed therein in an essentially stress-free manner,preferably in a flat position. Preferably, the magazine has an outletarea or outlet opening which is arranged so as to be aligned with theinlet opening of the transport channel, so that by means of the foldingbody the lens may be pushed from the magazine through the outlet area oroutlet opening into the transport channel. In this variation, thecannula may be directly inserted into the magazine which is preferablydisposed in a separate container, and may be latched therewith ortherein, for example, so that a functional unit is provided. Preferably,the magazine and/or the lens are stored under sterile conditions withinthe container.

Further within the scope of the invention is a magazine as such used forthe injector system described above. It is a magazine having areceptacle area for at least one lens which may be secured in thereceptacle area by means of a retainer, the retainer having a retainingdevice for a lens and/or an anti-rotation protection for a lens on aside thereof associated with the lens.

In one embodiment, the injector system is provided with the injectorbody, the slider and the cannula. In this case, the magazine is providedin a manner so that it can be push-fitted over the cannula of theinjector or coupled with the cannula, so that the cannula is disposed atleast partially inside the magazine or at the magazine, in particularfor loading the injector system with a lens.

In another embodiment, the injector system is provided with the injectorbody and the slider. In this case, the magazine is provided with acannula, so that the cartridge formed by the magazine and the cannula isconnectable to the injector body for loading the injector with a lens.

The injector system described above, in particular the individualmodules of the injector system assembly, is/are produced using injectionmolding. Preferably, a transparent plastic material is used, to enablebetter monitoring of the lens or a displacement of the lens in theinjector system. One example is a thermoplastic material.

The injector of the invention is particularly suitable for all soft,foldable intraocular lenses. Such lenses are for example made ofacrylic, silicone and/or hydrogel material. The injector of theinvention is easily adaptable to different types of lenses, inparticular in terms of the configuration and/or material thereof.

The specific dimensions and/or shapes of the individual modules and/orthe characteristics of the injector system depend on the design of anintraocular lens to be implanted, inter alia. The injector of theinvention may be used as a pre-loaded disposable or single-use injector.

Generally, the following dimensions are possible:

-   -   The injector body has a length from about 50 mm to about 70 mm        and/or a diameter (without handles) from about 8 mm to about 16        mm.    -   The slider has a length (without handle) from about 100 mm to        about 130 mm and/or a diameter from about 6 mm to about 8 mm in        the first section, and from about 1 mm to about 3 mm in the        second section.    -   The cannula has a length from about 45 mm to about 65 mm and/or        a diameter from about 5 mm to about 15 mm in the area of the        inlet opening. The transport channel has a diameter from about 3        mm to about 7 mm in the region of the inlet opening and/or a        diameter from about 1 to 3 mm in the region of the outlet        opening.    -   The magazine has a length from about 25 mm to about 35 mm and/or        a height from about 10 mm to about 20 mm and/or a width from        about 5 mm to about 15 mm.

The present invention will now be described in more detail by way of thefollowing exemplary embodiments. For this purpose, reference is made tothe accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the individualdrawings refer to the same parts.

FIGS. 1.a to 1.d show the injector of the invention in an assembledstate (FIG. 1a ); with the retaining flap open and the folding flap openand therefore the folding rib not inserted (FIG. 1.b); without themagazine (FIG. 1.c); and without the cannula (FIG. 1.d).

FIGS. 2.a and 2.b are perspective views illustrating the loading of themagazine with a lens, with the retaining flap open (FIG. 2.a), andclosed (FIG. 2.b).

FIGS. 3.a to 3.d are perspective external views illustrating the loadingof the injector (FIGS. 3.a to 3.c), and the unlocking of the injector(FIG. 3.d).

FIGS. 4.a to 4.c are perspective internal views illustrating the loadingof the magazine (FIG. 4.a), the unlocking of the injector (FIG. 4.b),and the ejection of the lens from the injector (FIG. 4.c).

FIGS. 5.a and 5.b show, in a perspective view, the lens arranged in itsnon-folded state in its initial position in the magazine (FIG. 5.a), andin its folded state in the cannula (FIG. 5.b).

FIGS. 6.a to 6.c show details of the housing, in a perspective externalview (FIG. 6.a), in a cross-sectional view (FIG. 6.b), and in anelevational view of the rear end (FIG. 6.c).

FIGS. 7.a to 7.c show details of the slider, in a perspective view (FIG.7.a), in a side view (FIG. 7.b), and in an enlarged side view of the tip(FIG. 7.c) thereof.

FIGS. 8.a to 8.f show details of the magazine, in a perspective view(FIGS. 8.a and 8.b), in a side elevational view (FIG. 8.c), in a frontelevational view of the magazine (FIG. 8.d), and in a perspective viewto the lower surface of the retaining flap (FIGS. 8.e and 8.f), with thelens.

FIGS. 9.a to 9.c show details of the cannula, in a perspective view(FIG. 9.a), in a front elevational view (FIG. 9.b), and in across-sectional view (FIG. 9.c).

FIGS. 10.a and 10.b show an alternative embodiment including acartridge, in a perspective view (FIG. 10.a), and in a cross-sectionalview (FIG. 10.b).

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the injectoraccording to the invention with a modified folding body and a hapticslider.

FIGS. 12.a and 12.b are two side views of the modified folding body andthe haptic slider of FIG. 11 without the other injector components.

FIGS. 13.a to 13.d are different views of the modified folding body ofFIG. 11.

FIG. 14 illustrates a first embodiment of the haptic slider of FIGS. 11to 12.b.

FIG. 15 illustrates a second embodiment of a haptic slider.

FIGS. 16.a and 16.b show the haptic slider of FIG. 15 operativelycoupled to the lens slider and the folding body, in a top view (FIG.16.a), and in a bottom view (FIG. 16.b).

FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of the injector according to the inventionwith the haptic slider of FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 illustrates another embodiment of a folding body having areceptacle area for the trailing haptic of a lens.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The injector system 100 according to the invention will be described byway of an exemplary modular injector 100 in which the retainer 60 isformed as a flap 60 and in which the folding plate 51 is attached to aflap 50. The retainer 60 configured as a flap 60 will be referred to asa retaining flap 60 below. The flap 50 which carries the folding plateor rib 51 will be referred to as a folding flap 50 below. The injectorbody 10 will be referred to as a housing 10 below.

FIGS. 1.a to 1.d show an injector 100 according to the invention in itsassembled state. The modules that make up the injector 100 include ahousing 10, a slider 20, a cannula 30, and a magazine 40. Details of theindividual modules 10 to 40 are illustrated in the subsequent FIGS. 2.athrough 10.b.

FIG. 1a shows the injector 100 in its fully assembled state. Cannula 30is arranged at the front end 10 a of housing 10. Cannula 30 and housing10 are joint to each other, for example by a snap-fit. Cannula 30 has atransport channel 31 for the lens 90, for delivering lens 90 frominjector 100 and inserting lens 90 into an eye. Magazine 40 is placed,preferably plugged-on to cannula 30. Preferably, cannula 30 and magazine40 are snap-connected to each other.

Folding flap 50 carrying folding rib 51 is positioned in its hinged-downstate. Therefore, lens 90 is already located in transport channel 31 ofcannula 30. The injector 100 is unlocked, so to speak. Injector 100 isready for use. Slider 20 is inserted from the rear end 10 b of housing10. It is arranged so as to be axially slidable within housing 10.Slider 20 is disposed in housing 10 so as to exit on the front end 10 aof housing 10 such that it can enter into the transport channel 31 ofcannula 30. Slider 20 and transport channel 31 are adapted to each otherin shape and/or size so that the slider 20 is also axially movable inthe transport channel 31. By moving or pushing slider 20 towards thefront end 100 a of injector 100, the lens 90 which is located in thetransport channel 31 of cannula 30 is ejected from the injector 100.

The front end 30 a of cannula 30 or of transport channel 31 defines theoutlet opening for lens 90. Slider 20 or injector 100 may be actuated byapplying the index finger and the middle finger to handles 11 of housing10 and by engaging the thumb in handle 21 of slider 20, for example. Forfurther details about loading or equipping, locking, unlocking and/orapplying injector 100 or ejecting the lens, reference is made to thedescription of FIGS. 2.a through 5.b.

FIG. 1.b shows the injector 100 in a non-loaded or non-equipped state.There is not yet a lens 90 in magazine 40. Magazine 40 is shown with theretaining flap 60 open. Accordingly, folding flap 50 is likewise shownin a non-hinged-down state.

It is possible for the magazine 40, for example, to only be loaded witha lens 90, when it has been placed on the injector 100 or has beenattached to cannula 30. Preferably, however, magazine 40 is loaded witha lens 90 and lens 90 is secured in magazine 40 by means of retainingflap 60 before magazine 40 is mounted to the injector 100 or cannula 30.

This is particularly advantageous since the loading may be accomplishedunder sterile conditions, for example by a manufacturer of lenses. Theloaded magazine 40 can then be stored under sterile conditions in astorage container, for example in a blister pack which is preferablyfilled with a sterile liquid.

Prior to an initial operation of the injector 100, first the storagecontainer is opened. The magazine 40 may be mounted to the cannula 30 byimmersing injector 100 into the storage container and attaching magazine40 to cannula 30. This offers the advantage that sterile conditions aremaintained as long as possible and that the transport channel 31 ofcannula 30 is wetted with the storage liquid, so that the lens 90 andthe slider 20 will slide better in the transport channel 31.

The injector 100, in particular housing 10, slider 20, cannula 30 and/ormagazine 40 may also be used more than once. Preferably, however, theyare used as one-way components.

In order to get a better overview of the configuration and modularnature of injector 100, FIG. 1.c shows the injector 100 without magazine40. Preferably, the injector 100 as shown (without magazine 40) and themagazine 40 are packed separately, in particular under sterileconditions in each case, in a package for the injector and in a packagefor the magazine, in particular in a loaded state. Preferably, the twopackages are opened just before the initial operation of the injector100, injector 100 is taken from the package and coupled with themagazine 40 as exemplified above.

For an even better understanding, FIG. 1.d shows the injector 100without the cannula 30. Cannula 30 and housing 10 may for example bejoined or connected using a latching mechanism and/or by twist-onfitting.

In order to illustrate the operation of injector 100 and the cooperationof retaining flap 60 and folding flap 50, FIGS. 2.a through 5.b show thepositioning of lens 90 in a non-folded state in magazine 40, and in afolded state in transport channel 31.

First, the two FIGS. 2.a and 2.b illustrate the loading of magazine 40.Shown is a detailed view of a magazine 40 loaded or equipped with a lens90, with the retaining flap 60 open (FIG. 2.a), and closed (FIG. 2.b).Magazine 40 is provided by a hollow body. Inside the magazine 40 thereis a cavity 41 which opens towards an upper end 40 c of magazine 40 andtowards a front end 40 a and a rear end 40 b of magazine 40, and whichis confined at its lower end 40 d by bottom 42 and at the lateral sidesby side walls 43. Thus, an axial through-passage is defined in magazine40 as a receptacle area for cannula 30, into which cannula 30 may beintroduced (see also FIGS. 3.a and 3.b).

The interior 41 of magazine 40 provides a receptacle area 44 for thelens 90 and optionally for the haptic 91 of the lens. Receptacle area 44for lens 90 is configured as at least one recess 44 in an inner surfaceof the wall 43 of magazine 40. In detail, herein, the receptacle area 44is formed by two recesses 44 in the inner surface of wall 43 of magazine40. The two recesses 44 are formed in the opposite walls 43 of magazine40. Due to the view chosen, only one recess 44 is visible in FIG. 2.a.Recesses 44 are adapted to the shape and size of lens 90, and optionallyto the haptics 91 thereof. Preferably, the recesses are curved, at leastin sections thereof. Lens 90 and/or haptics 91 rest(s) at leastpartially on the bottom of the respective recess 44. The bottom ofrecess 44 is located above transport channel 31 and below the upper end40 c of the magazine.

Especially in order to prevent the haptics 91 from twisting or jamming,two guiding areas 45 are additionally provided for the haptics 91, whichare formed as recesses 45 or as a channel 45 in the inner surface ofwall 43 of magazine 40. They do not have a bottom herein, they extenduntil the through-passage into which the cannula 30 or transport channel31 is inserted. The guiding and/or receptacle areas 45 for haptics 91are arranged offset from receptacle areas 44 along the longitudinal axisof magazine 40.

In order to provide for a safe transfer of the lens 90 in magazine 40and to prevent the lens 90 from dropping out, for example, retainingflap 60 is provided. Retaining flap 60 has been chosen to besubstantially U-shaped herein. Retaining flap 60 has two legs 61 and anopening 62 defined between legs 61. Opening 62 provides a passage regionfor folding flap 51. In the present example, retaining flap 60 iscoupled with magazine 40. It is pivotally connected to magazine 40.Retaining flap 60 is joined to magazine 40 through the pair of legs 61.Preferably, retaining flap 60 and magazine 40 are integrally formed. Anappropriately sized thin joint between retaining flap 60 and magazine 40forms some kind of a hinge between retaining flap 60 and magazine 40. Byhinging down retaining flap 60, lens 90 is secured in its position inmagazine 40 (see FIG. 2.b). For the purposes of illustration, FIG. 2bshows retaining flap 60 both in its open and in its closed position.

The means for positioning and locking lens 90 are arranged at the lowersurface 60 d of retaining flap 60 (see FIG. 2.a). These include aretaining device 64 and an anti-rotation protection 65. For furtherdetails about these means, reference is made to the description of FIGS.4.a and 8.a through 8.f.

The means for locking retaining flap 60 and magazine 40 in thehinged-down position of the retaining flap 60 are essentially based on alatching mechanism. For this purpose, preferably, a pair of projections63 is provided at the outer surface of retaining flap 60, which in ahinged-down state engage in a pair of corresponding recesses 47 oropenings 47 in magazine wall 43 (see FIG. 2.b). Projections 63 ofretaining flap 60 are latched in the openings 47 of magazine 40. Anotherpair of openings 48 is arranged laterally offset from openings 47. Theyare part of the fastening or locking means for folding rib 51. For thispurpose reference is made to the description of FIG. 3.d.

FIGS. 3.a to 3.d illustrate the loading of injector 100. For a betteroverview, housing 10 and slider 20 are not shown. Magazine 40 isequipped with a lens 90. Retaining flap 60 is closed, or in itshinged-down state, and is preferably latched to magazine 40 (see FIG.3.a). Lens 90 is located in receptacle areas 44 of magazine 40 and issecured therein by retaining flap 60 or the locking means. The lockingmeans are at least provided by retaining device 64 and/or byanti-rotation protection 65. Lens 90 is in its initial position which isparticularly suitable for transporting the magazine 40. Magazine 40 isprovided. Securing of lens 90 by said means is illustrated, for example,in FIG. 4.a. There only lens 90 and retaining flap 60 are illustrated aspart of the magazine 40.

In a subsequent step, magazine 40 is joined, preferably snap-connected,to injector 100, (for this see FIGS. 3.a and 3.b in combination, withthe intermediate arrow). In detail, magazine 40 is plugged onto cannula30, or cannula 30 is inserted into magazine 40. To this end, the tip orfront end 30 a of cannula 30 is introduced into magazine 40 from therear end 40 b of magazine 40. Magazine 40 is arranged on the cannula 30as some kind of a collar (for this see FIG. 3.c). Injector 100 is now ina loaded or equipped state. Folding flap 50 with folding rib 51 is in anopen or non-hinged-down state. Here, folding flap 50 is coupled withcannula 30. It is pivotally connected to cannula 30. Preferably, foldingflap 50 and cannula 30 are formed integrally. An appropriately thinjoint between folding flap 50 and cannula 30 forms some kind of a hingebetween folding flap 50 and cannula 30.

In a next step, the injector 100 is unlocked. For this purpose, lens 90is moved or transferred from its initial position in magazine 40 to itstransport position in cannula 30 or transport channel 31. The transportposition mentioned indicates the position from which lens 90 can beejected from the injector 100 and inserted into an eye using slider 20.For this purpose, folding flap 50 is folded or pivoted towards the upperend 40 c of magazine 40. Folding rib 51 arranged at the lower surface 50d of folding flap 50 passes between legs 61 of retaining flap 60 andengages into magazine 40. Folding flap 51 engages on the upper surfaceof lens 90 and pushes the lens out of its initial position in magazine40 and into the transport channel 31 of cannula 30, while folding lens90 into a U-shaped profile (for this see FIG. 4.b which only showsretaining flap 60, folding flap 50, and lens 90). To ensure safe foldingof the lens 90 and to prevent possible slipping or jamming of lens 90, apair of retaining ledges 52 is preferably provided at folding rib 51.Such ledges may also be disposed at the upper end of transport channel31 in the region of inlet opening 32.

In a next step, the lens is discharged from injector 100 and introducedinto an eye. By means of slider 20 the lens 90 is pushed out frominjector 100 (see FIG. 4c ). FIG. 4c essentially corresponds to FIG.4.b. Additionally, however, slider 20 is shown. The front portion 20-2of slider 20 is shown in detail. In order to enable to securely graspthe lens 90 using slider 20 and to discharge the lens 90 from theinjector 100 in defined manner, slider 20 has guiding means 23 at itstip. These are configured as a kind of fork 23 (for this see also FIGS.7.a through 7.c). Slider 20 is moved towards lens 90. Lens 90 is engagedby fork 23, in particular between the two prongs of fork 23.Additionally, slider 20 has a receptacle area 24 for the or one haptic91 of the lens 90. Receptacle area 24 is formed as a recess 24 or groove24 in arm 21 of slider 20. When lens 90 is discharged, haptic 91 willset in this recess 24. In this way, jamming and possible damage tohaptic 91 can be avoided.

In order to illustrate again the change in position of lens 90 or thetransfer of lens 90 from its initial position in the non-folded state tothe transport position of lens 90 in its folded state, FIGS. 5.a and 5.bshow magazine 40 in an open state. In FIG. 5.a lens 90 is disposed inits initial position. In FIG. 5.b, however, lens 90 is already in itstransport position. For the sake of a better understanding, illustrationof folding flap 50 with folding rib 51 which moves or displaces lens 90from its initial position into its transport position, and illustrationof cannula 30 have been dispensed with. Therefore, in FIG. 5.b it seemsas if lens 90 rests on the bottom 42 of magazine 40. In fact, lens 90 isdisposed in transport channel 31 of cannula 30 which is accommodated inthe interior of magazine 40.

Folding flap 50 is connected with magazine 40, preferablysnap-connected. Thus, the means for connecting folding flap 50 andmagazine 40 are based on a latching mechanism. For this purpose,preferably, a pair of projections 53 is provided at the outer surface offolding flap 50, which in a folded-down state are engaged in acorresponding pair of recesses 48 or openings 48 in magazine wall 43(see FIG. 3.d).

So far, injector 100 has been described in its entirety and itsoperation. In the description which follows, however, the individualmodules 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 will be described, in particular withtheir essential structural features.

First, in FIGS. 6.a to 6.c, the housing 10 is illustrated, includinghandles 11 to which the fingers may be applied. Thus, the injector 100may be operated like a syringe. Cannula 30, not shown herein, isconnected to the front end 10 a of housing 10. In the present example,it is connected to housing 10 by a latching mechanism. Recesses 12 areprovided in housing 10 into which corresponding lugs 33 formed oncannula 30 are engaged. Slider 20, not illustrated in these figures, isinserted into the housing 10 from the rear end 10 b thereof. In order toensure precise sliding of slider 20 in housing 10, guiding means 13 areprovided inside housing 10, which are in form of guiding rails 13. Byway of example, rails 13 are arranged on the inner surface of the upperend 10 c and on the inner surface of the bottom end 10 d in this case.Hole 14 defines a final position for slider 20.

Next, slider 20 is illustrated in FIGS. 7.a to 7.c. It has a firstportion 20-1 of a shape and size corresponding to the guiding rails 13in housing 10, and in the present example it is cross-shaped. In thismanner, ribs are defined to stabilize the slider 20. Towards the rearend 20 b, grip 21 is arranged on first portion 20-1. First portion 20-1has a length essentially corresponding to the length of housing 10.Towards the other end, first portion 20-1 merges into a second portion20-2. This second portion 20-2 enters into the transport channel 31 ofcannula 30 for discharging the lens 90. The shape and size of secondportion 20-2 correspond to those of transport channel 31 of cannula 30,and in the present example it is cross-shaped, at least in sectionsthereof. So ribs are defined to stabilize the slider 20. The secondportion 20-2 is tapered in cross section towards the front end 20 a ofslider 20. The length of the second, forward portion 20-2 is selectedsuch that the tip of slider 20 may protrude from the transport channelwhen discharging lens 90. The slider 20 which may also be referred to asa plunger 20 is preferably arranged so as to be displaceable axially inboth the housing 10 and the transport channel 31 in cannula 30. Thefinal position of slider 20 during ejection of the lens 90 may, forexample, be defined by the engagement of handle 21 at the rear end 10 bof housing 10.

In order to enable to securely grasp the lens 90 by means of the slider20 and to discharge the lens 90 from the injector 100 in defined manner,slider 20 has guiding means 23 at its tip or front end 20 a. These areconfigured as a kind of fork 23. Additionally, slider 20 has areceptacle area 24 for the or one haptic 91 of lens 90. Receptacle area24 is formed as a recess 24 in the second portion 20-2 of slider 20.Instead of fork 23, an elastic member may be used, for example asubstantially cylindrical buffer, or an intermediate piece, inparticular made of silicone.

When slider 20 is withdrawn from housing 10, latching lug 25 will beengaged in hole 14 in housing 10 so as to define a final position ofslider 20 in the housing 10, so that the slider 20 can be prevented fromfalling out of the housing 10, for example.

FIGS. 8.a to 8.d illustrate the magazine 40 with the retaining flap 60without a lens 90. FIGS. 8.e and 8.f, by contrast, only show retainingflap 60 with a lens 90 inserted, in order to be able to betterillustrate the effect of retaining device 64 together with anti-rotationprotection 65.

Magazine 40 is a hollow body which opens towards its ends 40 a and 40 b,and towards the top 40 c. Magazine 40 constitutes a lens chamber and isparticularly suitable for transporting and/or storing lens 90. It has abottom 42 and side walls 43. A plurality of ribs is arranged on theouter surface of magazine 40, which extend in sections around thecircumference of magazine 40, in particular to allow the magazine 40 tobe gripped and hold safely.

Inside magazine 40 receptacle area 44 is provided, for lens 90, andguiding and/or receptacle area 45 for haptics 91 of lens 90, inparticular for the end of the arm of haptics 91. Receptacle area 44 mayaccommodate a portion of lens 90 and a portion of haptic 91, preferablythe neck of haptics 91 at lens 90.

Each of receptacle area 44 for lens 90 and guiding and/or receptaclearea 45 for haptics 91 is provided as a pair of recesses 44 and 45,respectively, in side wall 43. The two recesses 44 for lens 90correspond in shape and/or size to lens 90 and optionally to haptic 91.They are curved, at least in sections thereof. Also, they have a bottomin this example, on which a portion of lens 90 and, optionally, ofhaptic 91 may come to rest. The two recesses 44 are arranged axiallyoffset to each other. The two recesses 45 are likewise arranged axiallyoffset to each other.

Retaining flap 60 is arranged on magazine 40. On its upper end 40 c,magazine 40 may be closed by means of retaining flap 60. Retaining flap60 provides some kind of a lid for magazine 40. Retaining flap 60 may beclosed by latching the pair of latching lugs 63 thereof in the pair ofrecesses 47 on magazine 40. Offset upwards towards the upper end 40 c(with respect to recesses 47) there is provided another pair of recesses48, for snap-connecting folding flap 50, not shown here.

Lens 90 is secured by flap 60 from falling out, slipping and twisting.For this purpose, means for positioning and/or locking lens 90 areprovided at the lower surface 60 d of retaining flap 60. Here, the meansfor positioning and/or locking lens 90 comprise a retaining device 64and an anti-rotation protection 65.

Retaining device 64 is provided by a pair of plate-shaped projections64, each one disposed on a respective leg 61 of retaining flap 60. Theyare curved, at least in sections thereof. The curvature is adapted tothe curvature of a lens 90. The radius of the curvature is preferablysuch that the plate-shaped projections 64 do not substantially interferewith the optics of lens 90. Rather, they are associated with theperiphery of lens 90 and here in particular the region where haptic 91abuts lens 90. In the present example, each of the curved plate-shapedprojections 64 is additionally stabilized by a support 66. Each of thetwo supports 66 is provided by a kind of rib on the lower surface 60 dof retaining flap 60. The two supports 66 further serve to stiffen theretaining flap 60. Projection 64 may abut support 66 or may be formedintegrally therewith.

Anti-rotation protection 65 is provided by a kind of lug 65 or a kind oftooth 65 at the lower surface 60 d of retaining flap 60. Preferably itis provided by a pair of lugs 65, each one disposed on a respective leg61 of retaining flap 60. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the twolugs 65 is arranged on a plate-shaped projection 64. Lugs 64 engage intothe transition area between lens 90 and haptic 91.

FIGS. 9.a to 9.c show the cannula 30 according to the invention. Cannula30 is a generally hollow body. Inside cannula 30 transport channel 31 isarranged, for transferring lens 90 into the eye. Cannula 30 or transportchannel 31 opens towards the upper end 30 c, at least in sectionsthereof, with opening 32. For example, transport channel 31 issubstantially U-shaped, at least in the area of opening 32.

Cannula 30 is associated with (or directed toward) folding flap 50 whichis pivotally arranged on cannula 30. Preferably, cannula 30 and foldingflap 50 are formed integrally. Folding rib 51 is arranged at the lowersurface 50 d of folding flap 50. When being hinged down, folding rib 51presses against the upper surface of lens 90. Folding rib 51 pushes lens90 from its initial position in magazine 40 into the transport positionin transport channel 31 while folding or curling the lens 90. Whenfolding down folding flap 50, folding rib 51 engages into opening 32 incannula body 31. Preferably, folding rib 51 has a shape and/or sizewhich substantially corresponds to the shape and/or size of opening 32in transport channel 31.

Folding rib 51 has a cross-sectional shape tapering towards the frontend 50 a of folding flap 50. The width of folding rib 51 decreases,preferably continuously, towards the front end 50 a of folding flap 50.A kind of blade is defined at the front end of folding rib 51. The bladeprovides a guidance for the sliding of lens 90 in transport channel 31and assists in folding or curling lens 90 in transport channel 31.

Above the lower edge of folding rib 51, at least one retaining ledge 52is disposed on each side of folding rib 51. A retaining ledge 52 isformed as a kind of land or bar on folding rib 51, which preferably doesnot extend until the front end of folding rib 51 (see for example FIG.9.a).

Retaining ledges 52, with their lower surfaces 52 d, provide anengagement surface for lens 90 or the edge of the lens. The distance Dbetween the lower surface 52 d of one retaining ledge 52 to the lowersurface of the opposite retaining ledge 52 preferably substantiallycorresponds to the diameter of lens 90. For example, the length D isapproximately equal to the diameter of a lens 90. In this way, when thelens 90 is inserted into the transport channel 31, which involves or isaccompanied by simultaneous folding of the lens 90, slipping of the lens90 can be prevented. Without retaining ledges 52, lens 90 could slipaway sideways and could be jammed.

The lower end 51 d of folding rib 51 has a groove (see the enlargedcross-sectional view Z along axis A-A in FIG. 9.b). In the illustratedembodiment, lower end 51 d is concave, at least in sections thereof.This allows the lens 90 to be better gripped by folding rib 51 whenbeing introduced into transport channel 31.

The front end 30 a of cannula 30 or the tip of transport channel 31 ischamfered herein, by way of example. In this manner, safe delivery oflens 90 from channel 31 may be promoted.

Cannula 30 is coupled to housing 10 at its rear end 30 b. For thispurpose, the latching lugs 33 are provided at the cannula 30, whichengage in recesses 12 formed in the housing 10, preferably by beinglatched therein.

FIGS. 10.a and 10.b show an alternative embodiment with a cartridge 80.In this embodiment, magazine 40 and cannula 30 are not provided by twoseparate modules, which are combined into a functional unit by beingjoined. Magazine 40 and cannula 30 are provided by a single componentwhich is referred to as a cartridge 80 here.

By the example of cartridge 80, in particular by way of thecross-sectional view of FIG. 10.b, the operation of the injector 100according to the invention may again be described, in particular thefunction of retaining flap 60 and folding flap 50 including folding rib51. This description may also be applied to the modular structure inparticular shown in FIGS. 8.a through 9.c. For the same or similarcomponents, reference is made to the above description of magazine 40and cannula 30, to avoid repetitions.

Lens 90 is first secured in cartridge 80 by means of the folded-downretaining flap 60. Lens 90 is in its initial position, in particularsubstantially above transport channel 31. When folding down folding flap50, folding flap 50 with its lower end 50 d will contact the upper end40 c of magazine 40 and/or the upper surface 60 c of retaining flap 60,at least sections thereof. At the lower surface 50 d of folding flap 50,folding rib 51 is disposed, which will pass through the opening 62 inretaining flap 60 to engage into magazine 40 and to push lens 90downwards, into the transport channel 31 of cartridge 80. Cartridge 80is illustrated in an unlocked state. The injector 100 is ready for use.By actuating slider 20, lens 90 may be pushed out of transport channel31. The apex of folding rib 50 is located below the upper end oftransport channel 31. Thereby, the risk of a possible jamming of lens 90in transport channel 31 is avoided.

Further, FIGS. 11 to 14 present another embodiment of the injector 100.This embodiment includes a folding body 51 having a receptacle area 54for the trailing haptic 91 of lens 90 and a stop 55 for the leadinghaptic 91 of lens 90. The trailing haptic 91 of lens 90 and theassociated receptacle area 54 are located toward the rear end 100 b ofinjector 100. The leading haptic 91 and the stop 55 are located towardthe front end 100 a of injector 100.

First, FIG. 11 shows the injector 100 in an outer view. Themodifications in folding body 51 are not visible in this view of theinjector 100 (for this see the subsequent figures). What can be seen isthe actuator of haptic slider 56, for which injector body 10 has anopening 10 e in a lateral side thereof, which is formed as a slot here,through which the actuator of haptic slider 56 extends. By moving hapticslider 56 towards the front end 100 a of injector 100, the trailinghaptic 91 can be inserted into the receptacle area 54 of folding body51.

For a better understanding, FIGS. 12.a and 12.b show the folding body 51and haptic slider 56 alone, in two side views, without the othercomponents of the injector. For the sake of clarity, lens 90 with itshaptics 91 is not illustrated. As to the configuration of haptic slider56, reference is made to the description of FIG. 14.

In FIG. 12.b, the receptacle area 54 for the trailing haptic 91 of lens90 can be seen. Stop 55 for the leading haptic 91 of lens 90 is visibleboth in FIG. 12.a and FIG. 12.b. FIGS. 13.a to 13.d show the “enhanced”folding body 51 is from different perspectives.

Receptacle area 54 for the trailing haptic 91 is configured as a recessin folding body 51. Recess 54 extends from the rear end 51 b of foldingbody 51 to the lower end 51 d thereof, and extends at least partiallythrough folding body 51. Preferably, however, it does not extendcompletely through the folding body 51, in particular from the rear end51 b to the front end 51 a. In one embodiment, recess 54 has a depththat decreases from the rear end 51 b of folding body 51 towards thefront end 51 a of folding body 51. It opens to the lower end 51 d offolding body 51. The ramp formed thereby inside folding body 51 may berectilinear or curved, for example, at least in sections thereof.

Stop 55 for leading haptic 91 is configured as a lug or a type offinger. Lug 55 is located at the lower end 51 d of folding body 51. Lug55 is preferably flexible, in particular resilient. In the illustratedembodiment, lug 55 is arc-shaped, with a curvature towards front end 51a.

By inserting folding body 51, the lens 90 is folded around the foldingbody 51 on the one hand, and is transferred into the transport channel31 on the other. In order to promote safe insertion of lens 90 into aneye, it is advantageous if haptics 91 of lens 90 are arranged in adefined position.

This is achieved by receptacle area 54 associated with the trailinghaptic 91, and by stop 55 associated with the leading haptic 91.

By means of haptic slider 56, trailing haptic 91 is inserted intoreceptacle area 54. There, the trailing haptic 91 is in a definedstarting position. In a next step, slider 20 is actuated for discharginglens 90 from the injector 100. Slider 20 pushes the lens 90 forward. Thetrailing haptic 91 is pulled from receptacle area 54 and interposed inthe folded lens 90, for example. Upon further advancement, which leadsto a curling up of lens 90, trailing haptic 91 is curled into the lens90. Thus, it will have a defined position upon ejection of lens 90.

Also upon advancement, leading haptic 91 is directed to stop 55. Whenfurther advancing lens 90, stop 55 sets or biases leading haptic 91 ontolens 90. Since stop 55 is preferably flexible, it can be pushed sidewaysby lens 90 upon further advancement. It is also possible for stop 55 tobe disposed above lens 90 in a manner so that only the leading haptic 91will contact it, but not the optics of lens 90 or the lens 90 itself.

Haptic slider 56 is disposed in the injector body 10 above slider 20 forlens 90. FIG. 14 shows a first embodiment of haptic slider 56. It isconfigured to be substantially L-shaped in this example. The short armextends through the outer wall of injector body 10 and provides anactuating means or a type of handle for haptic slider 56. The long armof haptic slider 56 may have a claw 57 for trailing haptic 91, not shownhere. Claw 57 may be provided by a fork, for example, preferably atwo-pronged fork.

Trailing haptic 91 of lens 90 may be transferred into receptacle area 54by separately actuating haptic slider 56, or by actuating haptic slider56 and slider 20 in combination. The embodiment of slider 56 shown inFIG. 14 is particularly suitable for separate actuation, but may also beused for being combined with slider 20.

As already stated above, a displacement of haptic slider 56 may becombined with a displacement of slider 20 for lens 90. In this case, byoperating slider 20 alone, it is possible to first transfer the trailinghaptic 91 of lens 90 into receptacle area 54 and then to eject lens 90from the injector 100.

FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of haptic slider 56′, which is particularlysuitable for being combined with slider 20 for lens 90, which willbriefly referred to as a lens slider 20 below. This embodiment may alsobe operated separately from lens slider 20. Haptic slider 56′ has a pairof bending arms 58 at its rear end. It is substantially Y-shaped. Thefollowing description refers to one bending arm 58, but equally appliesto both bending arms 58. The end of bending arm 58 is substantiallyT-shaped herein, so that an outward projection 59 and an inwardprojection is provided.

FIGS. 16.a and 16.b show haptic slider 56′ of FIG. 15 operativelycoupled with lens slider 20 and folding body 51. When lens slider 20 isactuated it first encounters haptic slider 56′, in particular bendingarms 58 thereof. It is also possible for lens slider 20 to be alreadyengaged at haptic slider 56′ in its initial position. Lens slider 20biases the two bending arms 58 against the inner surface of injectorbody 10, not shown here. In more detail, lens slider 20 biases theoutward projections 59 of bending arms 58 against the inner surface ofinjector body 10. By moving lens slider 20, haptic slider 56′ is alsomoved towards the front end 100 a of injector 100. Preferably, hapticslider 56′ is intended to be moved only so far that the haptic 91 can betransferred into receptacle area 54. It is then intended to be decoupledor separated from lens slider 20. This is achieved by two recesses 10 f,in particular openings, which are formed in the injector body 10 at aposition matched to the position of receptacle area 54, into whichprojections 59 may engage due to the biasing pressure. By thisengagement of the projections, haptic slider 56′ is decoupled from lensslider 20, and is optionally locked. Lens slider 20, however, maycontinue to slide forwards through the bifurcation of haptic slider 56′,to grab the lens 90 and eject it from injector 100.

FIG. 17 shows the injector 100 together with the haptic slider 56′ ofFIG. 15. Projections 59 of haptic slider 56′, which have come intoengagement in openings 10 f of injector body 10 and now extendoutwardly, are visible herein. In this manner, haptic slider 56′ isfixed at its position in the injector 100. It stops, so to speak. It isdecoupled from the movement of lens slider 20.

Finally, FIG. 18 shows another embodiment of a folding body 51 having areceptacle area 54 for the trailing haptic 91 of a lens 90. First,receptacle area 54 ends toward the front end 51 a in a groove or channel54-1 formed in the lower end 51 d of folding body 51. As a result, thecurling-up of trailing haptic 91 into lens 90 is improved. Second,folding body 51 is made of two parts in this case. A kind of base 54-2is provided in which the actual folding member 54-3 with hapticreceptacle area 54 is inserted. Folding member 54-3 is separated fromretaining ledges 52 which are integral with the folding body. Retainingledges 52 are provided by base 54-2.

This configuration provides safety enhancement. The separation into twoparts allows to increase the distance between retaining ledges 52 andthe lower end 51 d of folding rib 51. In this way, jamming of the lens90 during the folding process can substantially be eliminated. Foldingmember 54-3 is arranged to be displaceable within base 54-2 towards theupper end 50 c. This may for example be achieved by having foldingmember 54-3 arranged in a manner so that the upper end thereof does notabut on base 54-2 in the interior thereof. An intermediate space isprovided. Moreover, a flexible body may be introduced in theintermediate space, for example a foam material. Thereby, a pressure maybe exerted on folding member 54-3. Folding member 54-3, when reachinglens 90, may transfer the lens until the bottom of transport channel 31,in particular regardless of the thickness of the lens 90. When impactingon the bottom of transport channel 31, folding member 54-3 may then bepushed further upwards into base 54-2. By advancing plunger 20, foldingmember 54-3 may be forced to adopt a common roofline with base 54-2.Thereby, a substantially uniform channel is provided which facilitatesadvancement, for example with a silicone buffer.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the aboveembodiments have been described by way of example only. The invention isnot limited to these embodiments but may be modified in many wayswithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

Features of individual embodiments may be combined with each other aswell as with the features mentioned in the general part of thedescription.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10 Injector body, or injector housing, or housing, or handset-   10 a Front end of injector body-   10 b Rear end of injector body-   10 c Upper end of injector body-   10 d Lower end of injector body-   10 e Slot in injector body-   10 f Recess or opening in injector body-   11 Handle on injector body-   12 Recess in injector body-   13 Guiding means or guiding rail for slider-   14 Hole in injector body-   20 Slider, or plunger, or lens slider-   20 a Front end of slider-   20 b Rear end of slider-   20-1 First portion of slider-   20-2 Second, forward portion of slider-   21 Handle, or slider handle-   22 Slider rod, or slider arm-   23 Guiding means for the lens, or fork-   24 Receptacle area for haptic of the lens, or recess-   25 Projection on slider, or latching lug-   30 Cannula, or tube for insertion into the eye, or discharging body    for the lens-   30 a Front end of cannula-   30 b Rear end of cannula-   30 c Upper end of cannula-   30 d Lower end of cannula-   31 Transport channel, or advancing channel-   32 Lateral inlet opening-   33 Lug on cannula, or latching lug-   40 Magazine, or container for storing the lens-   40 a Front end of magazine-   40 b Rear end of magazine-   40 c Upper end of magazine-   40 d Lower end of magazine-   41 Cavity, or interior of magazine-   42 Bottom of magazine-   43 Wall of magazine-   44 Receptacle area for a lens and a haptic, or recess in the    magazine wall-   45 Guiding area and/or receptacle area for a haptic of a lens, or    recess, or channel in the magazine wall-   47 Recess or opening in the magazine wall-   48 Recess or opening in the magazine wall-   50 Folding flap, or folding plate support, or flap-   50 a Front end of folding flap-   50 b Rear end of folding flap-   50 c Upper side of folding flap-   50 d Lower side of folding flap-   51 Folding body, or folding plate, or folding rib-   51 a Front end of folding body-   51 b Rear end of folding body-   51 d Lower end of folding plate-   52 Retaining ledge on folding plate-   52 d Lower side of retaining ledge-   53 Projection on folding flap-   54 Receptacle area, or recess in folding body-   54-1 Groove in folding body-   54-2 Base of folding body-   54-3 Folding member of folding body-   55 Stop, or lug on folding body-   56 L-shaped haptic slider-   56′ Y-shaped haptic slider-   57 Claw, or gripper on haptic slider-   58 Bending arm of haptic slider-   59 Projection on bending arm-   60 Retainer, or retaining flap, or flap-   60 c Upper surface of retainer-   60 d Lower surface of retainer-   61 Leg of retainer-   62 Opening, or hole in retainer-   63 Projection on retaining flap-   64 Retaining device, or means for locking or securing the lens, or    fixing device-   65 Anti-rotation protection, or pin, or projection-   66 Intermediate portion, or support, or rib-   80 Cartridge, or injection cartridge-   90 Lens, or intraocular lens-   91 Haptic of the lens-   100 Injector, or injector system, or applicator-   100 a Front end of injector-   100 b Rear end of injector

The invention claimed is:
 1. An injector system for implanting a lensinto an eye, comprising: an injector body having an inlet opening, afront end and a rear end; a cannula arranged at the front end of theinjector body, which provides a transport channel for a lens to beimplanted, wherein a lens can be fed into the transport channel via theinlet opening; a magazine connectable to the injector body, the magazinehaving a retainer and a receptacle area for at least one lens which canbe secured in the receptacle area via the retainer, wherein the magazineis arranged in a manner so that the lens can be fed into the transportchannel via the inlet opening; a folding body which is insertable intothe magazine and into the inlet opening, for pushing the lens into thetransport channel in such a manner that the lens is at least partiallyfoldable around the folding body; and a slider which is slideablyarranged in the injector body, axially, and can be pushed into thetransport channel via the front end of the injector body in such a waythat the lens can be ejected from the transport channel; wherein duringimplanting of the lens, the magazine is connectable to the cannula, sothat the cannula is at least partially arranged in the interior of themagazine or on the magazine; and wherein the injector system is providedas a modular system, wherein the magazine is embodied as a separatemodule to be connected with the injector body.
 2. The injector system asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the retainer is configured as a flapconfigured to be pivotally mounted to the magazine, wherein in a closedposition of the flap the lens can be secured in the receptacle area. 3.The injector system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at a side associatedwith the lens, the retainer has an anti-rotation protection for the lensto be stored in the receptacle area.
 4. An injector system as claimed inclaim 3, wherein the retaining device is formed as a projection at leastpartially extending over the periphery of lens to be secured in thereceptacle area and having a curvature which substantially correspondsto that of the lens; and/or wherein the anti-rotation protection isconfigured as at least one pin which engages between the lens arrangedin the receptacle area and a haptic of said lens, and which is arrangedat the retaining device.
 5. The injector system as claimed in claim 1,wherein the retainer has an opening, and the folding body is insertableinto the magazine and into the inlet opening of the transport channelthrough said opening in the retainer and/or wherein the folding body isarranged at a lower side of a flap, which is pivotally mounted to thecannula so that in a hinged-down condition of the flap the lens isdisposed in the transport channel and is folded, at least partially,around the folding body.
 6. The injector system as claimed in claim 1,wherein at least two retaining ledges for the lens are provided at thefolding body and/or in the transport channel, which define an engagementsurface at least for one edge of the lens upon insertion of the lensinto the transport channel.
 7. The injector system as claimed in claim1, wherein the folding body has a receptacle area for a trailing hapticof the lens into which the trailing haptic of the lens can beintroduced.
 8. The injector system as claimed in claim 7, wherein thereceptacle area for the trailing haptic of the lens is provided by arecess at a rear end of the folding body.
 9. The injector system asclaimed in claim 1, which comprises a haptic slider for inserting thetrailing haptic into the receptacle area of the folding body.
 10. Theinjector system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the haptic slider is orcan be coupled with the slider for the lens in a manner so that bymoving the slider for the lens, the trailing haptic of the lens can bepushed into the receptacle area of the folding body by means of thehaptic slider.
 11. The injector system as claimed in claim 10, whereinthe haptic slider comprises at least one bending arm that is engaged bythe slider or that comes in engagement with the slider when pushing outthe lens, so that the at least one bending arm is biased against aninner surface of the injector body and the haptic slider is movabletogether with the slider towards the front end of the injector.
 12. Theinjector system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least one bendingarm has at least one projection through which the bending arm is biasedagainst the inner surface of the injector body and/or wherein whendisplacing the haptic slider towards the front end of the injector, theat least one bending arm engages into a recess in the inner surface ofthe injector body, so that the haptic slider can be decoupled from theslider for the lens.
 13. The injector system as claimed in claim 1,wherein the haptic slider, at a front end thereof, has a claw for thetrailing haptic of the lens.
 14. The injector system as claimed in claim1, wherein the folding body has a stop for a leading haptic of the lens,so that when pushing out the lens by means of the slider the leadinghaptic comes to rest on the lens, by means of the stop.
 15. The injectorsystem as claimed in claim 14, wherein the stop for the leading hapticof the lens is provided as a flexible lug at a lower end of the foldingbody.
 16. The injector system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the foldingbody comprises at least two parts.
 17. The injector system as claimed inclaim 16, wherein the folding body is provided by a base and a foldingmember inserted into the base, wherein the folding member is arranged soas to be moveable in the base.
 18. A magazine for an injector system asclaimed in claim 1, having a receptacle area for at least one lens whichis securable in the receptacle area by means of at least one retainer,where the magazine is embodied as a separate module, which isconnectable with the cannula for loading the injector system with alens, and can be push-fitted over the cannula of the injector system ina manner, so that the cannula is at least partially arranged in theinterior of the magazine or on the magazine.
 19. A method for loading aninjector system with a magazine, wherein the magazine is provided as aseparate module and a lens is received in the magazine; wherein themagazine is placed on a cannula of the injector system such that atleast a portion of the cannula is positioned on the magazine or insidethe magazine and that the magazine and the injector system aresnap-connected to each other; wherein the magazine is arranged in amanner so that the lens can be fed into a transport channel of thecannula via a lateral inlet opening of the cannula.
 20. An injectorsystem for implanting a lens into an eye, comprising: an injector bodyhaving an inlet opening, a front end and a rear end; a cannula arrangedat the front end of the injector body, which provides a transportchannel for a lens to be implanted, wherein a lens can be fed into thetransport channel via the inlet opening; a magazine having a retainerand a receptacle area for at least one lens which can be secured in thereceptacle area via the retainer, wherein the magazine is arranged in amanner so that the lens can be fed into the transport channel via theinlet opening; a folding element which is insertable into the magazineand into the inlet opening, for pushing the lens into the transportchannel in such a manner that the lens is at least partially foldablearound the folding element; and a slider which is slideably arranged inthe injector body, axially, and can be pushed into the transport channelvia the front end of the injector body in such a way that the lens canbe ejected from the transport channel; wherein during implanting of thelens, the magazine is connectable to the cannula, so that the cannula isat least partially arranged in the interior of the magazine or on themagazine; and wherein the retainer is configured as a flap configured tobe pivotally mounted to the magazine, wherein in a closed position ofthe flap the lens can be secured in the receptacle area.
 21. An injectorsystem for implanting a lens into an eye, comprising: an injector bodyhaving an inlet opening, a front end and a rear end; a cannula arrangedat the front end of the injector body, which provides a transportchannel for a lens to be implanted, wherein a lens can be fed into thetransport channel via the inlet opening; a magazine having a retainerand a receptacle area for at least one lens which can be secured in thereceptacle area via the retainer, wherein the magazine is arranged in amanner so that the lens can be fed into the transport channel via theinlet opening; a folding element which is insertable into the magazineand into the inlet opening, for pushing the lens into the transportchannel in such a manner that the lens is at least partially foldablearound the folding element; and a slider which is slideably arranged inthe injector body, axially, and can be pushed into the transport channelvia the front end of the injector body in such a way that the lens canbe ejected from the transport channel; wherein during implanting of thelens, the magazine is connectable to the cannula, so that the cannula isat least partially arranged in the interior of the magazine or on themagazine; and wherein at the a side associated with the lens, theretainer has an anti rotation protection for the lens to be stored inthe receptacle area.
 22. An injector system for implanting a lens intoan eye, comprising: an injector body having an inlet opening, a frontend and a rear end; a cannula arranged at the front end of the injectorbody, which provides a transport channel for a lens to be implanted,wherein a lens can be fed into the transport channel via the inletopening; a magazine having a retainer and a receptacle area for at leastone lens which can be secured in the receptacle area via the retainer,wherein the magazine is arranged in a manner so that the lens can be fedinto the transport channel via the inlet opening; a folding elementwhich is insertable into the magazine and into the inlet opening, forpushing the lens into the transport channel in such a manner that thelens is at least partially foldable around the folding element; and aslider which is slideably arranged in the injector body, axially, andcan be pushed into the transport channel via the front end of theinjector body in such a way that the lens can be ejected from thetransport channel; wherein during implanting of the lens, the magazineis connectable to the cannula, so that the cannula is at least partiallyarranged in the interior of the magazine or on the magazine; and whereinthe retainer has an opening, and the folding element is insertable intothe magazine and into the inlet opening of the transport channel throughsaid opening in the retainer and/or wherein the folding element isarranged at a lower side of a flap, which is pivotally mounted to thecannula so that in a hinged-down condition of the flap the lens isdisposed in the transport channel and is folded, at least partially,around the folding element.
 23. An injector system for implanting a lensinto an eye, comprising: an injector body having an inlet opening, afront end and a rear end; a cannula arranged at the front end of theinjector body, which provides a transport channel for a lens to beimplanted, wherein a lens can be fed into the transport channel via theinlet opening; a magazine having a retainer and a receptacle area for atleast one lens which can be secured in the receptacle area via theretainer, wherein the magazine is arranged in a manner so that the lenscan be fed into the transport channel via the inlet opening; a foldingelement which is insertable into the magazine and into the inletopening, for pushing the lens into the transport channel in such amanner that the lens is at least partially foldable around the foldingelement; and a slider which is slideably arranged in the injector body,axially, and can be pushed into the transport channel via the front endof the injector body in such a way that the lens can be ejected from thetransport channel; wherein during implanting of the lens, the magazineis connectable to the cannula, so that the cannula is at least partiallyarranged in the interior of the magazine or on the magazine; and whereinthe injector system comprises a haptic slider for inserting the trailinghaptic into the receptacle area of the folding element.
 24. An injectorsystem for implanting a lens into an eye, comprising: an injector bodyhaving an inlet opening, a front end and a rear end; a cannula arrangedat the front end of the injector body, which provides a transportchannel for a lens to be implanted, wherein a lens can be fed into thetransport channel via the inlet opening; a magazine having a retainerand a receptacle area for at least one lens which can be secured in thereceptacle area via the retainer, wherein the magazine is arranged in amanner so that the lens can be fed into the transport channel via theinlet opening; a folding element which is insertable into the magazineand into the inlet opening, for pushing the lens into the transportchannel in such a manner that the lens is at least partially foldablearound the folding element; and a slider which is slideably arranged inthe injector body, axially, and can be pushed into the transport channelvia the front end of the injector body in such a way that the lens canbe ejected from the transport channel; wherein during implanting of thelens, the magazine is connectable to the cannula, so that the cannula isat least partially arranged in the interior of the magazine or on themagazine; and wherein the folding element has a stop for a leadinghaptic of the lens, so that when pushing out the lens by means of theslider the leading haptic comes to rest on the lens, by means of thestop.
 25. An injector system for implanting a lens into an eye,comprising: an injector body having an inlet opening, a front end and arear end; a cannula arranged at the front end of the injector body,which provides a transport channel for a lens to be implanted, wherein alens can be fed into the transport channel via the inlet opening; amagazine having a retainer and a receptacle area for at least one lenswhich can be secured in the receptacle area via the retainer, whereinthe magazine is arranged in a manner so that the lens can be fed intothe transport channel via the inlet opening; a folding element which isinsertable into the magazine and into the inlet opening, for pushing thelens into the transport channel in such a manner that the lens is atleast partially foldable around the folding element; and a slider whichis slideably arranged in the injector body, axially, and can be pushedinto the transport channel via the front end of the injector body insuch a way that the lens can be ejected from the transport channel;wherein during implanting of the lens, the magazine is connectable tothe cannula, so that the cannula is at least partially arranged in theinterior of the magazine or on the magazine; and wherein the foldingelement comprises at least two parts.
 26. The injector system as claimedin claim 25, wherein the folding element is provided by a base and afolding member inserted into the base, wherein the folding member isarranged so as to be moveable in the base.